Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you into audio. They are generally made for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile application to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones at just 250g. They're very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're listening to or reading an audiobook. The headband is supple, and it features an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that will please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but not excessively loud or harsh. The earphones feature a wide and open soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups also have control buttons that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track, reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices simultaneously and thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can turn on ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made from top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is superb, and there's no muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise cancellation is top-quality, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering high-end performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins S2 comes with premium performance and features, including 24-bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup to create a more focused, immersive listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

Similar to the PX7's original design The headphones sport elegant and refined, with accent rings around each earcup and an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium but they never feel tight. The redesigned shape and form took many months to perfect, delivering a comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and just a little thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably throughout long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio as well as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to show rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App offers the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer - bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes, etc. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music using your iPhone. However, some popular features such as music presets and soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones, and is made to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all the spectrum of frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic spatial audio you can get from open-back headphones apple.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed for professional use and have a sturdy steel frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is simple and doesn't look like an expensive pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the hand and are built well. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are somewhat light on bass. This is due to the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head passive soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region is also extremely linear, which means you won't have issues with piercing sibilants and the upper impact of the drum snare.

They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism when required, despite the absence of a loud low-end. They'll still be enjoyable for those who enjoy listening to music with powerful basslines, but they might not be as fun as some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are very linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, Jbl ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them a top option. They're expensive however, you're getting headphones that will last for many years to come and perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good pair of headphones for jbl those looking to pass the time or simply want an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that provides protection when you put them into a bag, and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles from a plane, though their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to navigate and well-marked. On the left earcup there are buttons to power up and pair the headphones and for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find media playback controls. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistance and turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone provides a full and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz, these headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means that you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups are capable of rotating so that they can adjust to the particular shape of your head, so you can achieve a perfect fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.